Typographical distributing machine



D. s. KENNEDY TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING- MACHINE Filed Feb. 2, 1925 Oct. 5 1926.

ar er IDAVD S. KENNEDY, OF BEQOKLYN, NEVVHYORK, ASSIGNOR TO IlERGENTHgALER LINO.-

TY'E'COMEANY, CORPORitTON GJ? 'NEIV YORK.

TYPOGRAPHICAL Disranurrue MACHINE.

'Application mea 'February 2, 1925. semi No. 6,172.

This invention relates to 'typographical distributing machines, such as linotype machines ot the general organization :represented in U. S. Letters Patent to O. Mergentha'ler, No. 436,532, wherein'circulati'iigfmatriees 'are released from a magazine v'ii the order in which their charactersfare to appear in print and then assembled inline, the coni; posed line jtransiter-red to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal -to'rorm a slug or lintoype against the 'matrices which produce the type'characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned through a distributing mechanism' to the magazine from which they started. In some machines, such as lthe commercial Model 9, wherermatrices may be drawn from several magazines and mixed together 'in the same line, the distribating.T mechanism includes a primary distributor which ist sorts the matrices according to tout, and a plurality or' main distributors 'which 'thereafter sort the matrices or the individual fonts according to character and rrestore them to 'their proper channels in the magazines. Vith this vtype of distributing mechanism, the matrices, after -tout separation, pass down chutes or tubes and enter so-called lower distributor boxes, trom which they are ted one at a time to the main distributors under the control of reciprocating pawls or 'escap'ements Y'orlder't'hat these pawls or escapements may cooperate properly with the matrices, the latter are provided in their bottom edges with en'tial notches, which necessarily vary in shape and depth according to the thickness ot the individual matrices. Besides adding to the cost of production, suchnotches in the matrices materially limit Zthe space ordinarily required for the regular tout notches and, moreover, seriously weaken the matrices, especially when the latter are formed with other necessary cuts or notches. Furthermore, matrices comprising 'fonts used on other machines, such as those ot the single distributor class, are excluded trom'l use on machines ot' the multiple vdistributor class described, since they do not have the required central notches.

Primarily, the present invention is intended to obviate 'the foregoing Vdiiiiculties and contemplates certain improvements whereby the distributing mechanism may receive and handle matrices of all fonts whether they have or'have'not Objectionrare specified vin the claims.

able -centralnotches referred to. To this end, the matrices are caused to pass by gravi ty 'through the lower distributor 'boxes and bankv up 'against shoulders arranged to arrest 'them'i'n the 'path otavertically *reciprocating tingen which 'lifts them one 'at a time directly into the threads 'of 'the coiivic-ying screws. More speciiically, 'theinvention isdirected to means for insuring "the re- -L red cooperation'between the matrices and liiting linger in a box ofthis'char'acter; iirst, by providing the box 'guide rails with notches which prevent 'the 'displacement "of an arrested lmatrix from the path of 'Inovement of 'the lifting AEnger; and second, by providing the tli'tting linger in its side'tace with a recess which permits it/to "p'artalre'or a sidewise inovementduringtits u'p'str'ole to increase its :purchase on the A'bottom edge oir" the matrix being lifted.`

ln the aceoinpanyingdrawings, the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and by wa'yot example and as applied `to the specific type orn distributing mechanism indicated. However, many changes and variations may be made therein and in its mode oi' application which will still be comprised within its spirit. It vis to be understood, therefore, that `the invention is vnot limited to any specific form or embodi- `vment, except in so VIVfarfas such limitations ln the drawings:

Fig. l isa side elevation :of the improved distributor box, partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, transverse section', taken on the line 2 2 or Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. l, showing fa matrix lifted above the arresting shoulders; 'and Fig. 4f is a detail. perspective view of a linotype matrix.

The vmatrices X are released by the pri'- infary distributor (not shown) and pass through tubes or chutes arranged in communication 'with the lower distributor boxes B, through whichA they are guided and sustained in upright position bythe engagement Vof their projecting ears X1 with the upper and lower 'inclined rails 131,132. -Each boxis 'associated with a distributor which kcoiii'prises 'the usual longitudinally ribbed or permuted bar C and the r'set `or inatrix conveying screws C1, 'the arrangement befi-'ng suel'i-thf'atfaS the CS are delivered,

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one after another, within the range of the screw threads, they will be picked up thereby and advanced horizontally across the rail extensions B31, B4 into engagement with the bar C and thence along the. same until finally released above their proper magazine channels. The foregoing parts and their mode of operation, except as hereinafter pointed out, are or may be of any approved construction or as enrodied in the commercial `Model 9 linotype. j

According to the present invention, the box rails B1, B2 are provided with upright shoulders B5, B6 disposed in a vertical plane lying slightly beyond the pick-up ends C2 of the screw threads and adapted to arrest theindividual matrices in that plane by contact Awith their projecting ears X1. A vertically reciprocating finger D is arranged to lift the arrested matrices, one after the other, above the shoulders B5, B6 and directly into the screw threads. is shown in Fig. l, the finger-D is connected to the free end of a yielding lever D1 pivoted at its opposite end to the box, as at B1, and connected by an adjustable link member D2 to an eccentric stud protruding' from one of the distributor screws C1. Accordingly, the lifting finger is given a complete reoiprocation at each rotation of the distributor screw, the finger being guided in its vertical movements by a stationary transverse pin D5 against which it is held under the tension of a helical spring D4. VThe parts are so timed that when a matrix is. arrested by the shoulders B5, BG, the lifting finger D acts (either immediately or preferably after a slight pause) to raise the matrix above the arresting shoulders intoengaging relation to the pick-up ends C of the screw threads, which advance the matrix at once onto the rail extensions B5, B4 and before the finger starts to recede.

ln order to insureV the proper cooperation of the parts, means are provided to prevent the rearward displacement ofV the individual matrices when they are arrested by the shouiders B5, B5. To this end, and in the embodiment shown, the -guide'rails B1, B2 immediately adjacent said arrest-- ing shoulders, are formed withr notches B7, B8 wherein the projecting ears'X1 of the matrices engage as the latter reach their arrested position aboveV the lifting finger D, the width of these notches being such as to accommodate the thickest matrix ears. It will now be seen that, before being raised by the lifting fingerV D, each matrix is caused to drop into the notches B7, BB, whose rear walls are arranged in such close proximity to the arresting shoulders B5, BG that the matrix cannot be Adisplaced from the path of movement of the lifting finger, as might otherwise be the case. Hence, in the operation of the parts, the matrices will be delivered to the distributor screws one at a time 1n the required manner, whetherv one or more matrices are passing.

through the distributor box. lt may be well to explain, at this point, that ordinarily,in Athe use of a matrix lifting finger, some form of pusher device is employed to press the matrices up against the arresting shoulders and hold them there until the lifting finger moves upwardly to detach the leading matrix and raise it into engagement with the screw threads. ln the present construction, no such pusher device is employed and only the force of gravity is at work to cause the matrices to bank up against' the arresting shoulders. that such gravitational force cannot be relied upon to hold the matrices up against the shoulders and in engaging relation to the lifting finger, as the matrices have a tendency to rebound away from the shoulders and out of the path of lthe lift-ing finger. Moreover, even if the matrices should stand in position to be engaged by the lifting finger, they areapt to be displaced rearwardly and become disengaged from the linger before they are raised into the screw threads, and particularly when ae extent of engagement between the lift ing finger and the bottom edge of the matrix is quite small, as it usually is. These difficulties, however, as above pointed out, are overcome by the provision of the notches B7, B8 into which each matrix must drop before being acted upon by the lifting finger, and which act upon the arrested matrices to prevent their rearward displacement and confine them within the range of action of the lifting finger.

The proper separation of the matrices is further provided'for by the employment of a separator blade E, which is arranged to cooperate with the matrices in the usual way through the central vertical cuts X2 and serves toprevent the lifting ofv more than one at a time.

ln carrying out the invention, means are also employed for imparting a sidewise movement to the lifting finger D during its upstroke to increase its purchase on the bottom edge of the matrix being lifted. in the present instance, the lifting finger is formed in its rear face with a recess D5, which when opposite the transverse rpin D3 permits the spring D4 to move the finger sidewise 'the desired 4extent. rlhus, the scant initial purchase of the 'finger on the bottom of the leading matrix (see Fig. l) is materially increased beforek the lmatrix is carried away by the screws (seeFig. 3). It may benoted, in this connection, that when vthe finger D is in the positionshown in Fig l, the/relation of recess D5 to the lt has been found in D3 is such that the sidewise movement ofr the finger does not take place until the noV ` top of the latter of the next or Il a) Y finger for rises above the bottom edge succeeding matrix.. Consequently, any danger of the finger catching beneath a succeeding matrix on its upstrole is avoided. This feature of imparting a sidewise movement to the lifting finger, for the purpose mentioned, might also be availed o-f to good advantage in connection with the ordinary lift box, if desired.

Having thus described my invention, itsI construction and mode of operation, Vwhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

l. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of guide means along which the matrices pass by gravity, a reciprocating lifting the matrices successively into the threads of the screws, and means for arresting the matrices in the path of movement of the lifting finger and for restraining them against rearward displacement from said path when thus arrested.

2. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a finger for set of matrix conveying screws, the combi-` nation of guide means along which the matrices pass by gravity,a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices successively into the threads of the screws, means for arresting the matrices in the path of movement of said finger, and means to prevent rearward displacement of the matrices when tlius arrested.

3. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass by gravity, guide rails therein arranged to support the matrices by their projecting ears, a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices successively into the threads of the screws, shoulders formed on the guide rails to arrest the matrices by their projecting ears in the path of movement of said linger, and means arranged to engage their -projecting ears and prevent rearward displacement of the matrices when thus arrested. Y

. et. Ina typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass by gravity, guide rails therein arranged to support the matrices by l u signature hereto.

their projecting ears, and a reciprocating lifting the matrices successively Vset .of

into the threads of the screws, rails being'provided with shoulders to arrest,y the matrices in the path of movementl of saidfinger and being formed adjacent said shoulders with confining notches wherein the projecting ears of, the arrested matrices engage.

5. In a typographical distributingmechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributorV box through which the matrices pass by gravity, guide rails therein arranged to support the matrices by their projecting ears, a reciprocating finger for Alifting the matrices successively into the threads of the screws, and means for arresting the matrices in the path-of movement of the lifting linger, the said guide rails being formed. with notches to receive and confine the projecting ears of anarrested matrix, for the purpose described. v

6, In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrixl conveying screws, the combination of guide means along which the matrices pass by gravity, a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices successively into the threads of the screws, means to arrest the matrices in the path of movement of said linger, means for restrainingthem against rearward displacement in their arrested position, and a separator device arranged to cooperatewith the arrested matrices so as to prevent the lifting of more than one at a time. f

7. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a vertically reciprocating finger for lifting the threads of the screws, and means for guiding the finger in. its vertical movements, the

the said guidel matrices successively into the lill) ment to increase its purchase on the bottom edge of the matrix being lifted.

8. A distributing mechanism according to claim l, characterized by the fact that the lifting finger is moved sidewise during its upstroke to increase its purchase on the bot,- tom elge of the matrix being lifted.

9. claim 3, and including as an additional element a separator device to cooperate with the arrested matrices so as to prevent the lifting of more than one at a time.

In testimony whereof, I have aixed my DAVID S. KENNEDY.

distributing mechanism accordingl to lll) 

